Francisco will still have chance to close

Washington has not given role to Feliz exclusively

NEW YORK -- Manager Ron Washington said that Frank Francisco will still get opportunities to close games, even though Neftali Feliz has taken over that role.

One such opportunity would have taken place on Thursday afternoon in Cleveland if the Rangers had been able to take a lead into the ninth, because Feliz had thrown 18 pitches the night before.

"We felt like we needed to give Feliz a day," Washington said.

The 18-pitch outing was one reason. Another was the quick turnaround on a day game after a night game. Feliz has yet to pitch in back-to-back games as a reliever since being called up to the Major Leagues on Aug. 2, but Washington said that is a possibility at some point.

"In the right circumstances, I would send him out there with the right amount of pitches [from the game before]," he said.

But if not, Washington is still comfortable using Francisco in a save situation. Francisco couldn't hold two ninth-inning leads during the opening homestand, prompting Washington to move Feliz into the role.

"There will be opportunities for Frankie," Washington said. "The closer's role is a role where results really matter. A guy who is pitching every day ... If he's still getting ground balls, you don't worry about results as much. But when you're trying to get three outs in the ninth inning, results are more important."

Hamilton's famed homer platform almost gone

NEW YORK -- The Rangers found a changing landscape upon their arrival in the Bronx on Thursday. The old Yankee Stadium is just about gone.

Unlike Texas Stadium, which was leveled last Sunday via implosion, the old Yankee Stadium is being dismantled piece by piece. The shell/façade along what was the right-field/first-base side is just about all that is left standing.

The old stadium, across the street from the new facility, was the scene of Hamilton's biggest moment in the national spotlight. He stole the show in the 2008 Home Run Derby, hitting a record 28 home runs in the first round, including three that were measured at more than 500 feet.

"I just think it was a platform, not necessarily for me as a player but for me to share my message about Christ," Hamilton said. "That's what it was and still is when people ask me about it. Yankee Stadium was the ultimate stage. I feel privileged that He gave me the opportunity to do that."

Teagarden gets back in lineup

NEW YORK -- Catcher Taylor Teagarden was back in the Rangers' lineup on Friday after missing two games in Cleveland because of food poisoning.

"I'm fine," Teagarden said before the game. "I just need to go out and see where my energy level is. The only concern is that I haven't done a lot of physical activity in the last few days, but once I get out there, I think my adrenaline level will kick in."

Teagarden was 0-for-14 with nine strikeouts for the season going into Friday's game.

"I just see his timing is off," manager Ron Washington said. "He's also been facing some good pitching. We'll just wait and see how he looks out there, but I believe there will be some opposing pitchers who help him get his [timing] back."

Washington has no problem with game length

NEW YORK -- The Yankees and Red Sox have come under some scrutiny because of the length of their games, most notably from umpire Joe West, who has voiced his displeasure on the subject.

But manager Ron Washington hasn't seen any problems when the Rangers play either team.

"I haven't noticed it when we play the Yankees," Washington said. "We're almost always on TV when we're up here, and that takes time, but I haven't noticed anything particular. I'm all for speeding up the games, but when you're on the field and have to make sure you do things right, that sometimes takes time.

"I've watched the Red Sox and the Yankees on TV, but I've never noticed it because I never watch all nine innings. But when we play the Yankees, it goes as it should. Same when we play the Red Sox."

Worth noting

Michael Young tied a club record with his two hits on Thursday. He now has 490 multihit games, which ties him with Ivan Rodriguez for the most in club history. ... Next Friday's game with the Tigers has been moved from KXTA/Ch. 21 to FOX Sports Southwest because of a conflict with a Dallas Mavericks playoff game. ... Manager Ron Washington has been trying to get reserve outfielder David Murphy into at least one game each series but is not sure if he'll be able to do that during the three-game series with the Yankees. ... Minor League catcher Leonel De Los Santos has been activated from the disabled list at Class A Hickory. Catcher Zach Zaneski has been transferred from Hickory back to extended spring training.

T.R. Sullivan is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.